The former Minister of Transport and a presidential hopeful under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rotimi Amaechi, has said that he risked his life as a sitting Governor of Rivers State, in 2015 for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari.
As the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation during the 2015 general elections, Amaechi said he was denied access to the State’s Airport, using the state-owned aircraft.
The former governor also recounted how he was redirected to Ekiti and Akure where he was denied access to both states before driving by road to Lagos State, adding that he faced all these because he supported President Buhari.
Amaechi said this in Bauchi while interacting with delegates from the state.
“I was the DG (for the Buhari Campaign Organisation), during our voter analysis, there were two states where there was not much analysis –they are Bauchi and Borno, even if you brought President Buhari on a sick bed, they will vote for him.
“Why do you want me to lose in Bauchi and Borno if you vote for Buhari? It means I can inherit Buhari’s support in Bauchi.
“Because I worked tirelessly when everybody was sleeping. As a governor of Rivers state, when I got to the airport at 9pm, they will keep waiting at the tarmac for 2 hours, just because I was supporting President Buhari,” he said.
Meanwhile, a former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai has endorsed the former Minister, stating that his loyalty and love for Nigeria and humanity is unmatched.
Gen. Buratai who is currently, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, gave this endorsement at a parley with delegates of the APC in Bauchi, Wednesday night, when he and other dignitaries accompanied the presidential hopeful, Rotimi Amaechi to solicit delegates’ support in Bauchi ahead of the party’s primaries.
Burutai stated that he was spurred to give his support to Amaechi due to his outstanding profile and vast experience in governance.
He said, “You can see from the introduction, the experience of our Presidential aspirant. The profile of Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is quite intimidating.
“He has proven to be a sound administrator, a versatile leader, a good strategist and a politician per excellence, who has shown good qualities in all areas he has worked.
“As Speaker, as Governor, as Minister and also first among equals during his tenure as Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, as well as the dexterity and the quality of the campaign (for President Buhari) that he led on two occasions. That is why I am giving him my full support.
“He did that diligently with all his determination, loyalty and of course with love for Nigeria and love for humanity irrespective of what religion you belong to. This is quite commendable, that’s why he’s here today to solicit for your votes. From what you have heard about him, I believe you know that he’s the man of the moment. He is the right choice. So, I urge you to make the right choice and vote for him,” Buratai said.